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Holiday overeating can spell trouble for heart health

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

The holiday season is known as being a time for indulging in tasty foods. But one expert is warning individuals that if they don't give some consideration to what they eat, they may soon receive unhealthy cholesterol test results.

Paula Moore, a representative for the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), recently wrote in the Sacramento Bee that many holiday favorites are secretly loaded with cholesterol and fat, two ingredients that can substantially raise a person's risk of developing heart disease and suffering a heart attack or stroke.

Turkey, one of the most ubiquitous staples of holiday parties, is also one of the worst offenders. Moore wrote that a turkey leg can contain 700 milligrams of fat and 1,600 calories. Forty percent of those calories come directly from fat.

A recent study conducted by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development indicated that most Americans gain about one pound each year during the holidays. What makes this weight gain most troubling is that most never lose it. The cumulative effect of holiday overeating can be substantial.